Black History Center Plan Alive After Backer's Death

CHARLES CITY (COUNTY) — The death of retired judge Joseph Jordan of Norfolk did not end the dream of building a cultural center for blacks in Charles City County, his sister said Monday.

Jordan, 67, who died Saturday, had begun a fund-raising campaign to buy 1,400 acres and build a 500-foot tower on four parcels, including the 500-acre River Edge plantation on the banks of the James River. The tower would be a national memorial to black history and achievement.

``The money is still there; it belongs to the people,'' Margot Jordan Williams said. ``The dream of having the center is still there even though he is not still here. Hopefully, we will be able to do this because this is what he wanted.''

Jordan, a civil rights advocate, was the first black person elected to the Norfolk City Council this century. He served as a general district judge from 1977 to 1986.

In his book, ``We Can Make It ... Together,'' Jordan set a goal of $200 million to be donated to the Proud Black Trust Fund to build the monument, which would be called the Proud Black Cultural and Convention Center.

In 1985, Jordan took a five-year option to buy the property for $8.4 million.

Fundraising for the center has subsided in recent years because Jordan turned his attention toward raising money for a monument to Martin Luther King Jr. in Norfolk, said Williams, who spoke from the Jordan home in Norfolk. The Joe Jordan Foundation is sponsoring both projects.

``He didn't feel concerned that he was not going to get the money,'' Williams said.

Although she could not say specifically what steps will be taken next to develop the center, Williams said the project is still alive.

County Administrator Fred Darden said he was aware of the plans and had had no direct contact from Jordan about the project since he took the job in late 1986.

A spokesperson for the county planning office said the department had not been contacted about any plans.

Lloyd Jones, county administrator when Jordan proposed the project, said Monday he had not had any recent contact with Jordan about the project.

The River Edge plantation and surrounding property is owned by retired dentist Milton S. Goldman of Norfolk. Jordan signed an option on the property in 1985, which Williams said had expired.

When fire damaged part of the 1 1/2-story manor house in January 1988, Jordan said it set back the beginning of a national fund-raising effort for the project.